The Institute’s work in analysing India’s rising importance was marked this month by a number of factors. Firstly, the Australian Government’s budget commitment to progress the next phase of the Australia India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership shows promise for building even closer economic and security ties; India’s leadership chairing BRICS is amplifying the voices of emerging economies; and as Tushar Joshi and myself write, India’s leadership in upgrading the Colombo Security Conclave into a formal regional security organisation needs Canberra’s attention. Meanwhile, the Economist has launched a new weekly column on India aptly named ‘Ashoka’.
All eyes will be on the Quad Foreign Minister’s meeting set to take place in Delhi this week, a good sign for the future of this grouping. I was recently asked about the Quad’s future on a panel at the Australia India Strategic Dialogue held in Sydney. I advocated for its strengths and ongoing importance in delivering public goods for our region, despite the momentum stalling under the current US administration.
India has also overtaken England as the top country for Australians born overseas, and three of our researchers Teesta, Maisha and Hiya share how the way Australia approaches its diaspora communities has not kept pace with the realities of modern multicultural democracies. Given this demographic shift, the India diaspora need to be understood a lot better, they write.
The Institute’s latest Explainer Series by Sudip celebrates the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. One of the founding fathers of modern India, Tagore’s philosophy of universalism – a world without borders where cultures connect not divide – is particularly resonant today.
I am delighted to welcome to Australia to Dr Shruti Pandalai, the new inaugural India Chair at the Lowy Institute, who will be based in Sydney. Shruti was one of the Institute’s past Defence Special Visitors and I know how she will provide much ballast to our thought leadership. I enjoyed connecting with her and CEO of Ananta Aspen Centre Indrani Bagchi recently. The future is bright when we have more women think tank leaders helping shape public policy!
Best
Lisa